Automatic fire-extinguishing apparatus.



1. R. HAMILTON.

GUISHING APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED OCT. 4, I915.

AUTOMAHC FIRE EXTIN.

Apr. 30,1918. 2 SHEETS-SHEET I.

2 SHEE1S-SHEET 2.

ill

Patented Apr. 30,1918.

J. R. HAMILTON.

APPLICATION FILED OCT. 4 1915.

AUTOMATIC FIRE EXHNGUISHING APPARATUS.

pnrrn stars a JOHN R. HAMILTON, 0F YONKEBS, NEW YOR i; ASSIGNOR T0 SYPI-IO-CHEIVLICAL SPRINKLER CORPORATION, OF CROTON-ON-HUDSON, NEW YORK; A, UORPO- BATION OF NEW YORK.

AUTOMATIC FIEE-EXTINGUISHING. APPARATUS.

Application filed October 4, 1915.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, JOHN R. llfAlvHL'lON, a citizen of the United States, residing at Yonkers, county of WVestchester, State of New York, have made a certain new and useful Invention Relating to Automatic Fire-Extinguishing Apparatus, of which the following is a specification, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, which form part of the same.

This invention relates especiallyto chemi cal fire extinguishing apparatus comprising a distributing system normally charged with extinguishing liquid and provided with antomatic or other extinguishing devices arranged at various pointsaround the building to be protected. A supplemental supply of extinguishing liquid connected to the distributing system and may comprise any suitable gaseous pressure tank such as a chemical mixing tank and cooperating chemical mixing devices to discharge acid or other pressure producing chemical into the tank. A suction actuating pipe or connection may communicate. with the mixing devicesto operate them and a primingactuating tank may. be arranged in connection with the distributing system at any suitable point so as to supply liquid thereto and also to effect the operation of the mixing devices on the fire emergency discharge of liquid from the system. The actuating pipe for this purpose may extend adjacent the top of a suitable suction chamber formed within or connected with the actuating tank and in order to secure the emergency operation of the system in case of slow leakage therefrom a suitable vacuum chamber may be provided in connection with the suction chamber and may. if desired communicate therewith at its lower end so that under slow leak conditions a pressure reduction or unbalanced fluid pressure condition is produced in the vacuum chamber. Any suitable retardin device may be arranged between the suction chamber and vacuum chamber soas to restrain or cut off communication between them until a predetermined condition or pressure reduction has taken place whereupon the retarding device Specification of Letters Patent.

able alarm. devices, if desired.

Patented Apr. 3 11*,- i918,

Serial No. 53,877.

is automatically released and a sudden suction or other fluid impulse acts through the actuatlng connection so as to bring the chemical mixing device or the like into emergency action and thereby call attention to the condition of the apparatus through suit- In the accompanying drawings showing in n somewhat diagrammatic way several illustrative embodiments of the invention Figure l is a vertical section through one form of apparatus.

Fig. 2 is acorresponding detail section showing. a modified construction; and

Fig. 3 is an enlarged section showing still another arrangement.

The distributing systenr may be of any desired construction and may comprise a supply pipe or riser 20 and connected distributing lines 17 supplying the distributing devices, such as the automatic sprinkler heads 76 arranged at various points around the building to be protected. Any suitable extinguishing liquid may be normally contained in the distributing system and if desired may be supplied thereto under a suitable moderate initial head or pressure by the use of an elevated priming or actuating tank 19 extending the desired distance above the upper part of the distributing system and connected to the upper end'4i7 of the riser 20, if desired. A supplemental supply of extinguishing liquid is connected to the distributing system in any suitable way and may comprise the chemical mixing tan'klS containing a charge 22 of carbonate extinguishing liquid, for instance, the supply connection or riser 20 preferably extending below the check valve 77 into the mixing tank adjacent the bottom thereof and being there provided with a suitable strainer 21 as is usual in this connection, so that when the cooperating chemical mixing devices or other means for producing gaseous pressure in the tank come into action the desired high emergency pressure of 50 to 100 pounds or so per square inch is developed through chemical action in the tank so as to give a forcible discharge from the distributing devices in operation.

The chemical mixing devices may, if desired, comprlse a suitable casing 28 mounted on the mixing tank and communicatingported in any desired way within the casing and formed with a centrally arranged automatic pressure maintaining siphon comprising the discharge pipe 28 and the siphon bell 30 inclosing the upper end 31 of this discharge pipe so as to intermittently feed the charge 67 of acid in this chamber into the mixing tank whenever the initial emergency pressure momentarily decreases under operating conditions. The siphon starting devices which may be of the type covered by the pending application of Everett L. Thompson, Jr., which has matured into Patent No. 1,206,173, granted November 28, 1916, may with advantage be arranged in the upper part of the casing and may comprise a removable siphon chamber 26 which is adapted to fit into a pocket 59 in the upper portion of the supplemental chemical chamber 24. This removable casing which may also be formed of sheet lead or other suitable inert material may have cylindrical sides and conical ends and intermediate partitions which may be conveniently stamped or otherwise given the same conical shape and connected to the sides by lead burning or other methods. A starting chamber may be formed in this device to normally contain a starting charge of sulphuric acid or other pressure producing chemical and a siphon starting device comprising the siphon discharge pipe 55 may be arranged in this chamber so that its upper end 54 is above the normal acid level therein and is inclosed by the siphon bell 53 supported from the diaphragm below so as to leave an annular passage 65 through which the acid may enter the siphon bell under operating conditions, a suitable filling and equalizing aperture 52 being preteraloly provided in the upper end of this chamber. A suction siphon chamber Q64; may be formed in this device and an automatically discharging siphon may be arranged to deliver the acid therefrom into the mixing tank, this siphon comprising the siphon bell 56 supported within the removable starting device so that acid can enter it and flow down the automatic discharge siphon pipe 27 which may as indicated be arranged axially within the supplemental chamber 24 and permanently connected thereto. A suction coupling 61 of light lead pipe or other suitable material may be arranged between this suction siphon chamber 64 and the union 63 on the suction actuating pipe or connection 46 extending to the actuating tank so that on the lire emergency discharge of liquid irom the system a suction impulse is caused in this pipe and chamber 64: so as to simultaneously operate the starting siphon and deliver the starting charge 65 into the chamber (34, while at the same time this suction tends to draw the charge 66 down inside the siphon bell 56 so that operation of the automatically discharging siphon is thereby prevented until the starting charge is delivered and the suction broken through this starting siphon. It will thus be seen that the starting device 26 may be readily removed for inspection or repairs by releasing the coupling 63 and when replaced by being inserted into the pocket 59 it is operative without the necessity of making a tight joint with this part, since the acid forms a liquid seal bet-ween this pocket and the starting device which is fully effective in this connection, it being of course understood that the amount of space between these parts is considerably exaggerated in the drawings for the sake of clearness. It is also understood that suitable equalizing or venting apertures such as the pin-hole or other small vent 60, may be formed in any suitable part of the sup plemental pressure chamber and that a similar pin-hole or other equalizing aperture 62 may be formed in the suction coupling or other part of the suction siphon chamber or its connections.

The suction actuating pipe or connection 46 may as indicated extend up through the supply pipe 20 so that its upper end 31' is adj accnt the top of a suitable shell or cvlin drical casing 35 forming the suction chamber within the priming tank 19. ll dcsired a suitable vacuum chamber -1l 9 may be formed concentrically about this suction chamber by the concentric casing 34: supported in connection therewith, the lower ends of these chambers being in open communication since the bottoms elat, 4-5 of these casings may be left open as indicated. Any suitable retarding device prei craliily ot an automatically releasing character may be used in the connection which is preferably provided between the upper ends of the suction and vacuum chambers, and it desired a liquid retarding device of this character may be used in the form of a U-tube 37 extending through the casing 35 and having its upper ends 38, 39 extending adjacent the tops of these chambers so that under conditions of slow leak from the distributing system the vacuum which tends to form in the vacuum chamber is substantially maintained therein until this retarding device is communicating with the suction chamber.

If desired also a suitable vented reservoir L8 may be arranged in connection with, or if desired, concentrically around the vacuum chamber, and this reservoir may have a vent or overflow waste pipe 36 connected therewith adjacent its upper portion and may have an automatically closing vent valve 4:0 arranged in connection with this vent preferably so as to be normally open, but so as to quickly close on any large or substantial flow of liquid past the valve.

On filling the distributing system the liquid may be forced up into the same through the supply pipe 20, the liquid thus rising through the vacuum and suction chambers and reservoir at substantially the same height since the air is free to escape through the open vent and through the empty U-tube r'etarding device so that air in the vacuum chamber can thus be discharged through the suction actuating pipe. Then when the top of the liquid reaches the end 88 of the U-tube in the vacuum chamber this tube fills with liquid and any further liquid supply to this chamber "aises the liquid level 41 therein thereby compressing slightly the air which is trapped in the upper partof this chamber and the liquid can rise in the inner suction chamber 32 so that theliquid level 33 therein may nearly reach the upper end of the suction actuating pipe 31. The liquid in the outer reservoir 48 may rise until it begins to be discharged from the vent or overflow pipe 36 which indicates that suilicient liquid has been supplied to the system to fill the different chambers to substantially the points indicated in Fig. 1 and under fire emergency conditions the rapid discharge of liquid from the distributing system causes a considerable pressure reduction or suction impulse which acts through the connection or pipe 46 to operate the starting siphon and mixing devices as has been described. This causes the desired emergency discharge pres- .sure of 50 to 100 pounds per square inch within themixing tank and may operate any suitable alarm devices to call attention to the apparatus, a simple electrical alarm being somewhat diagrammatically indicated as comprising apressure pipe 80 extending up from the mixing tank 18 to the diaphragm chamber 81 within which a flexible metallic or other diaphragm 82 may be mounted so as to be normally out of engagement with the electric contacts 83 which may be in circuit with a battery 85 or other source of electricity'and with an electric bell or other alarm 8. p This alarm is thus operated as soon as the pressure forces the diaphragm up into contact with the electricwcontacts 83 to close'this. alarm circuit. Under slow leak conditions where the liquid leaks out of the systema drop or two at a time the discharge from a simple actuating tank would be too slow to properly operate the mixing devices in this way, butunder these conditions the retarding device allows a predetermined suction or vacuum to take place in the vacuum chamber before the restraining action of the retarding device is released to cause a sudden suction impulse ot-sutticient intensityto operate these starting or chemical mixing devices. With the'illustrative arrangement indicated in Fig. l the liquid would slowly descend in the suction chamber and reservoir to about thelevel 43 while the descent of the liquid in the vacuum chamber would be very much less, indicated somewhat diagrammatically at 42, the air within this vacuum chamber being correspondingly re duced in pressure so that a considerable vacuum is thus created which serves to draw the liquid down in the arm 39 of the U-tu-be retarding device so thatit would reach about the level 50 therein. When, however, still further .slow discharge of the liquid occurs the further increase in the suction pressure in the vacuum chamber finally suddenly draws the liquid up through the arm 38 of the U-tube which when this sealing liquid is withdrawn no longer acts as a retarding device, but allows the air from the "suction chamber to quickly pass through this U-tube into the vacuum chamber creating asudden suction or pressure reduction within the suction chamber and connected suction actuating pipe of sutlicient intensity to operate any suitable form or" starting siphon or other chemical mixing or alarm devices. In this arrangement the vented reservoir also contributes to this action because it allows liquid from the bottom of the vacuum chamber to enter this'reservoir while the displaced air can escape through the vent and thus minimize the equalization ofthe liquid between the lower ends of the vacuum and suction chambers which is to some extent retarded by the inertia of these bodies of liquid.

Another arrangement of suction and cooperating vacuum chambers is indicated in Fig. 2 as comprising a central suction chamber 32 and the encircling vacuum chamber 74 which communicates at its lower end with the suction chamber preferably through a restricted passage 72. On filling the system through the supply pipe 20 the liquid naturally rises to about the level indicated at 69 in thevacuum chamber and to about the level 70 in the suction chamber where it tends to discharge through the upper end 31 of the suction actuating pipe 46. Under slow leak conditions the liquid tends to fall to about the'point 71 in the vacuum chamber where it is held by the resulting partial vacuum caused by the exhaustion of the air above while in the suction chamber which is vented by the open suction actuating pipe the liquid can fall to about the point 43 before the liquid retarding device or seal in the U-tube 37 blows through and allows the quick equalization of these unbalanced fluid pressures which causes a sudden suction impulse through the actuating pipe of sufficient intensity to operate any suitable form of chemical mixing or other emergency devices connected with the system. The inertia of the liquid remaining in the suction and vacuum chambers prevents the quick equalization of the unbalanced pressure on top of these liquid columns and this is further retarded or prevented by the restricted character of the passage 72 at the bottom of these chambers.

A still further arrangement is indicated in Fig. 3 as comprising an enlarged priming or actuating tank 1 which may be mounted at the top of the system and which may be formed'with an enlargement 10 at its upper portion. This actuating tank may be provided with a differential valve seat 12 having a vent channel 5 communicating with the ball check vent 6 in which the ball valve 7 is normally in open position against the stop pin 15. A suitable float casing 3 may have a buoyant air space 4 adjacent its lower portion and be provided with a valve flange 11 cooperating with the diflerential valve seat and normally held down tightly thereon by the static pressure of the liquid in the tank which is etl'ective throughout the area above the differential valve seat and which forms a self-releasing retarding device. The sys term may be filled by forcing the liquid up in the actuating tank 1 while the float casing is held down in the indicated position in any suitable way, as for instance, by a suitable suction pump connected to the ball valve vent 6 and the liquid thus rises inside the casing in the enlarged upper portion 10 of the actuating tank and also through the openings or passages 86 into the casing until itis discharged from the ball check waste vent 8 having the ball valve 9 normally in open position against the stop pin 15. The level of the liquid inside the casin g is preferably somewhat below the top 14 of the suction actuating pipe 2 communicating with the mixing devices in any desired way. Under slow leak conditions the liquid gradually descends, passing down inside the float casing or outside it through suitable ports or passages 86 until it reaches substantially the level indicated by the dot and dash line when the static pressure of this liquid is no longer suflicient to hold the valve flange against the diflerential valve seat and thereupon this retarding device is automatically released and the valve casing floats upward thereby creating a suction or partial vacuum within the air space 13 in the top of this casing so that the desired suction impulse acts through the acting pipe to bring the chemical mixing devices into operation if desired.

This invention has been described in connection with a number of illustrative embodiments, forms, arrangements, materials, proportions, sizes and parts of the apparatus, to the details of which disclosure lhe invention is not of course to be limited, since what is claimed as new and what is desired to be secured by Letters Patent is set forth in the appended claims.

1. In chemical fire extinguishing apparatus, a distributing system normally charged with extinguishing liquid and comprising distributing devices, a supplemental supply of extinguishing liquid connected to said system and comprising a mixing tank and chemical mixing devices to discharge pressure producing chemical into said mixing tank, a suction actuating connection communicating with said mixing devices to el fect their operation, a priming actuating tank communicating with said distributing system and formed with a suction chamber with which said suction actuating connection communicates, a vacuum chamber communicating at its lower end with said suction chamber, a reservoir communicating at its lower end with said vacuum chamber and having its upper portion vented to the air, a releasing retarding device between the upper ends of said suction chamber and vacuum chamber to resist pressure equalization between the upper parts of said vacuum chamber and suction chamber under slow leak conditions and to effect a sudden suction impulse through said actuating connection when the restraining action 01 said retarding device is released.

2. In fire extinguishing apparatus, a distributing system normally charged with extinguishing liquid and comprising distributing devices, a supplemental supply of extinguishing liquid connected to said system and comprising devices to develop discharge pressure on said supply, a suction actuating connection communicating with said devices to elfect their operation, a priming actuating tank communicating with said distributing system and formed with a suction chamber with which said suction actuating connection communicates, a vacuum chamber communicating at its lower end with said suction chamber, a reservoir communicating at its lower end with said vacuum chamber and having its upper portion vented to the air, a releasing retarding device between the upper ends of said suction tinguishing liquid and comprising distributing devices, a. supplemental supply lof e'xk; tinguishing liquid connected to said systeni and comprising-devices to develop discharge pressure on said supply',a suctionactuatingfl connection communicating with said devices to eflect their operation, aprirning,actuat. ing tank communicating With said distributing system andformed with a suction chain? her with which said suction actuating connection communicates, a'v'acuum chamber communicating with said suction chamber, a reservoir communicating at its lower end witl'isaid vacuum chainber and liaving'its upper portion vented, a releasing retarding device between said suctio11*ch'ani.bei' and Vacuum cheinber to resist pressure iequalizai, tion betweensaid Vacuum chamber and suction chamber unden slow leak conditions and to eflect'a sudden suction impulse througln said actuatin connection when the'restrain ing' action of: said-retarding deviceis releaeed. Y

-l-. Lrfire extinguishhi'g apparatus, a dis; tributing system. normally charged with ,ex-

tinguishing liquid and comprising .distrib ut.

ing devices, a supplen'iental supplyfiof? ex; tinguishing liquid connectedto isa-idsystem. and comprising devices to develop discharge, pressure on said supply; a suction actuating connection commi'inicating with said devices. to effect their operation, a priming actuate ing' tank communicating with said'distributing-system and formed with a. suctionucham her with which 'said f suction actuatingz con: nection communicates, a vacuum!chamber connnunicating with said suction chamber, a reservoir communicating atits lower-end with said vacuum chamber,- a releasing,, re-- tar-ding device between said suctionjchamber and vacuum chamber to'resist p-r essure equalization between said vacuum chamber-1 and suction chamber under slow leak c0111, ditions and to effect a sudden suction inipulse through said: actuating connection, when the restraining action of said retard-j ing device is released.

In fireextinguishing apparatus, a disk tributing Y system normally charged with. extinguishing liquid and comprising auto; matic distributingdevices, a supplemental supply"ot extii'lguishiiig liquid connected to said systemand comprising devices to develop gaseous discharge pressure on said supply to force liquid therefrom into, said distributing system, a suction actuatingco11 nection communicating, with said devices, to efl'ectftheir operation, apriming actuat; ing tank conununicating, withfsaid distrib} uting system and i formed with] a suction chamber with; which said, "suctionactuating connection communicates, a vacuum ,chanve ber connnunicating at its lower, portiodwitli said suction chamber, an, automatically re leasing liquid retarding device, between :the upper portions of said, suction chamber '75 a and vacuum. chamberiand adapted to be: filled withliquid in chargingthe systeinto resist pressure equalization between .the up I per .parts of said. vacuum chamber and. sue; tion. chamber .under conditionsof slow, lealgso from the distributing system ,untila; prcde termined pressure difference actingio thereon releases said retarding device and there; by effects'a sudden suction impulsethrough. v said actuating,connection. h,

6. In fire extinguishing apparatus,.,a dis-v trihutin-gsystem-normally charged with ex: tinguishing liquid. and comprising,, distributingadevices. a supplemental suppi of extinguishing liquid conn'ected 1 to said system 9 0 a an'dhcomprising devices to developgaseous, discharge pressure on! said supply to ,wforce liquid therefromuinto said distributing system a suction actuating connection com,

municating with said deuicesi to reflect. theiu 9 5 operation, -a priming, actuatingtank; com-5; municating 1 with 5 said distributing i system a and-formed with a suction than er with which said a suction actuating connection communicates, a vacuum chamber1 com-mum} 0 eating t its lower portionwith said suction chamber, an automatically releasing. iquidg retarding device between, the nppen portio s of a said suction chambera and vacuum; chanc her. to resist pressure equalizationbetween 5? the; upper parts of i said yacumn chamber and suction .-,cl1amber. under conditions 1 1 of slow leak from-the distributing system until a predetermined:pressure difference, acting thereomreleases said retarding device; and; 19 therebyeflects a sudden suction ,impuls'e. througlrsaid actuating connection.

7. In chemical 1 fire extinguishing appara; tus, a distributin systemnormallychargect with extinguishing liquid-and comprising, 11 5 distributing devices, a supplemental 1 supply; of i extinguishing,liquid connected to; said; system andwcomprisiing a -miXing, tank and, chemical; :mixing. devices to discharge ,pres sure. producing chemical; into; saidfmixing tank, a suction actuating connection to effect the operation of: :i'said mixing ,devices, priming actuating tank; communicating with the upper part, of ,said::distributing system and formedwitha suction chamber 12; with which said suction-actuating penne tioncommunicates, a vacuum chambcrieomv; municatingat its lower end with said ,suoa tion chamber through a restricted passage,

a releasing, liquid retarding, device between 13p the upper ends of said suction chamber and vacuum chamber and adapted to resist pres sure equalization between the upper parts of said vacuum chamber and suction chamber under conditions of slow leak from the distributing system and to effect a sudden suction impulse through said actuating connection when the restraining action or said retarding device is released.

8. In chemical fire extinguishing apparatus, a distributing system normally charged with extinguishing liquid and comprising distributing devices, a supplemental supply of extinguishing liquid connected to said system and comprising a mixing tank and chemical mixing devices to discharge pressure producing chemical into said mixing tank, a suction actuating connection to effeet the operation .of said mixing devices, a priming actuating tank communicating with the upper part of said distributing system and formed with a suction chamber with which said suction actuating connection communicates, a vacuum chamber communieating with said suction chamber through a restricted passage, a releasing liquid retarding device between said suction chamber and vacuum chamber and adapted to resist pressure equalization between said vacuum chamber and suction chamber under conditions of slow leak from the distributing system and to effect a sudden suction impulse through said actuating connection when the restraining action of said retarding device is released.

9. In fire extinguishing apparatus, a distributing system normally charged with extinguishing liquid and comprising distrib uting devices, a supplemental supply of ex tinguishing liquid connected to saie system and comprising devices to develop discharge pressure on said supply, a suction actuating connection to efieet the operation of said devices, a priming actuating tank communicating with the upper part of said distributing system and formed with a suction chamber with which said suction actuating connection communicates, a vacuum chamber con'nnunicating with said suction chamber through a restricted passage, a re1easing retarding device between said suction chamber and vacuum chamber and adapted to resist pressure equalization between said vacuum chamber and suction chamber under conditions of slow leak from the distributing system andto efiect a sudden suction impulse through said actuating connection when the restraining action of said retarding device is released.

10. In fire extinguishing apparatus, a distributing system normally containing extinguishing liquid and comprising distributing devices, a supplemental supply of extinguishing liquid connected to said system and comprising devices to force liquid from said supplen'iental supply into said distributing system, a fluid suction actuating connection communicating with said devices to ettect their operation, a vacuum chamber communicating with said distributing system to have a pressure change developed therein on the comn'iencement o'li flow from said system, a U-tube liquid retarding device between said actuating connection and said vacuum chamber and adapted to be filled with liquid in charging the system to resist pressure equalization under conditions of slow leak from the distributing system until the pressure change developed releases the restr ining action of said retarding device thereupon allowing a sudden fluid impulse to be transmitted through said actuating connection.

11. in fire extinguishing apparatus, a distributing system normally containing extinguishing liquid and comprising distributing devices, a supplemental supply oi extinguishing liquid connected to said system and comprising devices to force liquid from said supplemental supply into said distributing system, a fluid actuating connection communicating with said devices to elicct their operation, a vacuum chamber communicating with said distributing system to have a pressure change developed therein on the commencement of flow from said system and a liquid retarding device between said actuating connection and said vacuum chamber and adapted to be filled with liquid in charging the system to resist pressure equalization under conditions of slow leak from the distributing system until the pressure change developed releases the restrain ing action of said retarding device there upon allowing a sudden fluid impulse to be transmitted through said actuating connection.

12. In fire extinguishing apparatus, a dis tributing system normally containing extinguishing liquid and comprising distributing devices, a supplemental supply of extinguishing liquid connected to said system and comprising devices to force liquid from said supplemental supply into said distributing system, a iiuid actuating connection connnunicating with said devices to el'lert their operation, a vacuum chamber communicating with said distributing system to have a pressure change developed therein on the commencement of flow from said sys tem and a retarding device between said actuating connection and said vacuum chamber and adapted to be filled with liquid in charging the system to resist pressure equalization under conditions of slow leak from the distributing system until the pressure change developed releases the restraining action of said retarding device thereupon allowing a sudden fluid impulse to be trans mitted through said actuating connection.

13. In chemicalfire extinguishing -appai'ag tus, a distributing system normally charged with extinguishing liquid andqcbmprisii automatic distributing; devices, a supple mental supply of extinguishin gliq iidcon nected to said system and comprising chemical mixing tank and chemical mixing device's to discharge pressure producing chemical into said mixingtank a fluid iac tuating connection communicating with said mixing devices to effect their operation; priming actuating tank communicating with": said distributing system and providedgw i-tli L. actuating meanstendi'ng to send a fluid impulse throughsaid actuating connection and a self releasing retarding fdevice normally restraining the action ofsaid actuating means until said means can; act With prfedetermined intensity to thereby t1"aiisinitfla sudden operating impulse under slow leak conditions after an undesirable amoum tf leakage from saidsystem, I

1d. In fire eXtinguishing apparatus, aidis tributing'system normally charged With extinguishing liquid and comprising automatic distributing devices, a supplemental: supply of extinguishing liquid connected to said system and con ising devices to force liquid from said supplemental"supply into i said distributing 'systeIm -afl'uid actuating connection communicating with said devices to effect their operation, a primingiactu atin tank communicating with" said distributing system and provided with actuatin'ginea'nstending to send a fi uid impulse through said actuating connection" and a self releasing retarding device normally restraining the action of said actuating-means until-said means can act with predetermined intensity" to thereby transmita sudden operating i111 pulses under slow leak'conditions a-fter an" undesirable amount of leakage" from said system. q x A a 15. In fire extinguishing app'aratus a distributingg system normally charged with extinguishing liquid andfcomprising distrib uting' devices, a supplemental supply of e;- tinguishing liquid connected f-to said systemand comprising devices to force, liquid i'roni said supplemental supply into said di'stribfuti'ng system, a fl'uidactuating connection ccimnunicating with said devices to effect their operation, actuating means tending to send a. fiuidimpulse throi1gh.,said actuatingv connection and a selfreleasing retarding device normally restraining the; action of said actuating means until said'mean's can; act with predetermined intensity? l 16. In chemicalv fire extinguishing Jappara; tus, a distributing system normally charged with extinguishing liquid :au-d comprising autoi'natic distributing-Idevices, a: supplemental s'upply of extinguishing.liquidconnected to said system. and comprising. a chemical miXing tank, chenii 'al mixing idevices tor discharge pressure producing i chemicalf into sa id' mixing tank, a suction actufl atmg connection conmiuincating with said mixing de ices, to effect their operationj'a P is' tributinig"system and i'ornied with a suction said suction chamber and connnuni'c'a'ting at its lowerend therewith, a reservoir outside of-said yacuum chamber and communicatingat its lower end therewithj andhaviiig lil-S upper portion-com1i1un1cat1ng with" an i '80 overflow vent pipe, a normally open vent valve between said'reservoir and vent and automatically 'c'losing'onfl'ow of liquid a U tube'liquid retardingdevice betwe'enlthe upper' ends of said fsuction chamber and vacu umcha iiber to be filled with liquid in charg-j mg 15 e system and to resist pressure, equah zati'oiibetween'the upper parts of said vacuum" chamber and suction chamber under slow leak-"conditions and thereby! effect suddensuction; impulse through sa d 'ac rig actuating tank communicating with tu'ating' connection when the sealing liquid is forced "out of said retarding device to 'release its restraining' action.

l7.' Inelren ill fire extmg'iuf tus, 2a distrib 11g iing apparaof "extinguishing li uid" connected to system 'and Comprising "a chemical mixing r v tank, chemical nnxlng devices to discharge pressure producing chemical into sa d min ing "tank, a "suction actuating "connection conm unicatiug with said mixing devices to effect their operation, a priming actuatingtank communicating with said Ll1S tributing system and formed with a suction" chamber within which said suction actuating connection extends ad acent; the top thereof, a vacuum chamber encii'clin "'said uction chamber and communicatin t its lower end therewith. a-reservolr outside of said vacuum chamber and communicating lat its low-er end therewith and having its up--' per portion communicating with an overflow vent, a noiinally' open vent valve between said reservoir and vent and automatically closing on flow of liquid, a liquid retarding/devicebetween the upper endsof said lsuction chamber and vacuum chamber to be filled with liquid in charging-the system and; to resist pressure equalization between the upper parts of :sa'idvacuum chain berand suction chamberlunder slow leak conditions and thereby efl'ecta sudden suction impulse through 'said actuating connection when "the sealing liquid is forced out of saidretarding device to release its restrainingaction.

.18. In chemical fireextinguishingappara-' tus, a chemical-mixing tank and cooperatsystem n rmally charges-1 witli' extinguishing "liquid and con q'a ris ng 1 distributing devices, supplemental supplying siphon mixing devices comprising a casing, a supplemental chemical pressure chamber mounted in said casing and provided with a pocket in its upper portion and a discharge pipe projecting into said pocket and extending below said chamber, a supplemental discharge siphon in. said chamber comprising a discharge passage arr nged concentrically around said discharge pipe and a siphon bell inclosing said discharge passage, a removable siphon starting device in said casing and fitting Within said pocket and comprising a suction siphon chamber having cylindrical lead sides and a coupling connected therewith and having a detachable union adjacent the inner surface of said casing, said siphon chamber being provided With a siphon bellextending over the top of said discharge pipe and containing a charge of acid making a liquid seal therefor with in said pocket, said siphon chamber having a diaphragm to support a starting charge or acid in its upper portion, a starting siphon extendingvthrough said diaphragm and a vented upper end, the ends and diaphragm or" said siphon chamber being formed of lead of substantially similar conical contour and secured to its cylindrical lead sides.

19. In chemical fire extinguishing apparatus, a chemical mixing tank and cooperating siphon mixing devices comprising a casing, a supplemental chemical pressure chamber mounted in said casing and provided With a pocket in its upper portion and a discharge pipe projecting into said pocket and extending below said chamber, a supplemental discharge siphon in said chamber comprising a discharge passage arranged around said discharge pipe and a siphon bell inclosing said discharge passage, a removable siphon starting device in said casing and fitting Within said pocket and comprising a siphon chamber, said siphon chamber being provided With a siphon bell extending over the top of said discharge pipe and containing a charge of acid making a liquid seal therefor Within said pocket, said siphon chamber having a diaphragm to support a starting charge of acid in its upper portion, a starting siphon extending through said diaphragm and a vented upper end.

20. In'chemical fire extinguishing apparatus, a chemical mixing tank and cooperating siphon mixing devices comprising a casing, a supplemental chemical pressure chamber mounted in said casing and provided with a pocket in its upper portion and a discharge pipe projecting into said pocket, a supplemental discharge siphon in said chamber comprising a discharge passage arranged around said discharge pipe and a siphon bell inclosing said discharge passage, a removable siphon starting device in said casing and fitting Within said pocket and comprising a siphon chamber, said siphon chamber being provided with a siphon bell extending over the top oi said discharge pipe and containing a charge of acid making a liquid seal therefor Within said pocket.

21. In chemical fire extinguishing apparatus, a chemical mixing tank and coiiperating siphon mixing devices comprising a casing, a chemical chamber mounted in said casing and provided with a pocket in its upper portion and a discharge pipe, projecting into said pocket, a siphon discharge device in said chamber, a removable siphon chamber in said casing and fitting within said pocket and provided with a suction bell. extending over the top of said discharge pipe and containing a charge of acid making a liquid seal within said pocket around said chamber.

22. In chemical lire extinguishing apparatus, a chemical mixing tank and cooperating siphon mixing devices comprising a casing, a chemical chamber mounted in said casing and provided with a pocket in its upper portion and a discharge pipe projecting into said pocket, a discharge device in said chamber, a removable siphon chamber in said casing and fitting within said pocket and provided With a suction member extending over the top OIE said discharge pipe and containing a charge of acid making a. liquid seal Within said pocket around said chamber.

In fire extinguishing apparatus, a distributing system normally containing fluid, a device adapted to be operated under the fire emergency conditions of said system, a fluid actuating connection con'iniunicuting with said device to ellect its o 'ieration, actuating means connected to said system and tending to send a fluid impulse through said actuating connection on movement of lluid in said system and a self-releasing retarding device normally restraining the action of said actuating means under SlOW leak conditions until said means can act with suiiicient intensity to thereupon transmit an operating impulse to said device under sloiv leak conditions after an undesirable amount of leakage from said system.

2%. In fire extinguishing apparatus, a distributing system normally containing extinguishing liquid, a device adapted to be operated under the emergency conditions of said system, a fluid actuating connection com municating with said device to cii'ect its operation, actuating means connected to said system and tending to send a fluid impulse through said actuating connection on movement of fluid in said system and a retarding device normally restraining the action ot said actuating means under slon' leak conditions until said means can act with sidiicient intensity to thereupon transmit an operating impulse to said device under slow leak conditions after an undesirable amount of leakage.

25. In fire extinguishing apparatus, a distributing system normally containing fluid, a device to be operated to supply extinguishing fiuid to said system, actuating means connected to said device to effect its operation and tending to cause a fluid impulse on escape of fluid from said system and a self-releasing retarding device comprising a liquid seal normally restraining the action of said actuating means under slow leak conditions until said means can act with su'liicient intensity to thereupon transmit an operating impulse to said device under slow leak conditionsafter an undesirable amount of leakage from said system.

26. In fire extinguishing apparatus, a distributing system normally containing .fiuid, a device to be operated in connection with said system, actuating means connected to said device to effect its operation and tending to cause a fluid impulse from said system and a retarding device comprising a body of liquid normally restraining said actuating means under slow leak conditions until said means can act with sufiicient intensity to thereupon transmit an operating impulse to said device under slow leak conditions after an undesirable amount of leakage from said system.

27. In fire extinguishing apparatus, a priming actuating tank adapted to be connected with a distributing system and formed with a suction chamber with which a suction actuating connection is adapted to communicate, a vacuum chamber communicating adjacent its lower end with said suction chamber, a reservoir communicating adjacent its lower end with said vacuum chamber and having its upper portion vented to the air, a U-tube retarding li uid connection device between said suction chamber and said vacuum chamber and adapted to be normally filled with liquid in charging the system to resist pressure equalization under conditions of slow leak from the distributing system until the pressure change developed releases the restraining action of said retarding liquid connection and thereupon allows a sudden fluid impulse to be generated in said suction chamber. A

28. In fire extinguishing apparatus, an actuating tank adapted to be connected with a distributing system and formed with a suction chamber with which a suction actuating connection is adapted to communicate, a vacuum chamber communicating adjacent its lower end with said suction chamber, a reservoir communicating adjacent its lower end with said vacuum chamber, a retarding device between said suction chamber and said vacuum chamber. to resist pressure equalization under conditions of slow, leak from the distributing system until the pres its lower end with said suction chamber, a

retarding device between said suction chamher and said vacuum chamber to resist pres sure equalization under conditions of slow leak from the distributing system until the pressure change developed releases the restrainingaction of said retarding device and thereupon allows a sudden fluid impulse to be generated in said suction chamber.

30. In fire extinguishing apparatus, an

actuating tank adapted to be connected with a distributing system and formed with a suction chamber with which a suction actuating connection is adapted to communicate, a vacuum chamber communicating adjacent its lower end with said suction chamber, a reservoir communicating adjacent its lower end with said vacuum chamber, a U-tube retarding passage between said suction chamber and said vacuum chamber and adapted to be normally filled with liquid to thereupon resist pressure equalization under conditions of slow leak from the distributing system until the pressure change developed releases the restraining action of said retarding device and thereupon allows a sudden fluid impulse to be generated in said suction chamber.

, 31. In fire extinguishing apparatus, an actuating tank adapted to be connected with a distributing system and formed with a suction chamber with which a suction actuating connection is adapted to communicate a vacuum chamber communicating adjacent its lower end with said suction chamber, a U-tube retarding ti on chamber and said vacuum chamber and adapted to be normally filled with liquid to resist pressure equalization under conditions 01 slow leak from the distributing system until the pressure change developed releases the restraining action of said retarding device and thereupon allows a sudden fluid impulse to be generated in said suction chamber.

In fire extinguishing apparatus, an actuating tank adapted to be connected with a distributing system and formed with a suction chamber with which a suction actuating connection is adapted to communicate, a vacuum chamber communicating adjacent its lower end with said suction chamber, a retarding passage between said suction passage between said succhamber and said vacuum chamber and impulse to be generated in said suction adapted to be normally filled with liquid to chamber.

resist pressure equalization under conditions of slow leak from the distributing system JOHN HAMILTON until the pressure change developed releases Witnesses:

the restraining action of said retarding de 7 HARRY L. DUNCAN, V1ce and thereupon allows a sudden fluid JESSIE B. KAY.

Gem-es of this patent may be obtained {or five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of "Patents.

Washington, D. O. 

